Cavalry seeks winter wear

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Pontiac Daily Leader - Pontiac, IL

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Posted Dec. 28, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Updated Dec 28, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Posted Dec. 28, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Updated Dec 28, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Pontiac, Ill.

The A 2/106th Cavalry is hosting its second annual Army National Guard Coat Drive at the Pontiac Armory, 825 W. Reynolds St., until Jan. 20. The drive is a chance for the community and military personnel to donate new or slightly used coats, jackets, gloves, scarves and mittens, which will be given to the Pontiac Salvation Army. Along with the coat drive, the Armory will also be hosting its third annual blood drive on Jan. 19.

During the first coat drive last year, SFC Justin Alford, Readiness NCO for A/2 106th Cavalry said the National Guard collected more than 200 coats. This year, he said the drive has been slower due in part to the Salvation Army holding their own coat drive already. However, Alford said the Armory will still do their part to add to the growing supply.

“I don’t know that being associated with the military makes it any more or less effective,” said Alford. “However it seems like once people hear we are doing something at the armory, those that don’t normally drop off coats or donate blood will go ahead and do that to support the military’s donation.”

By making their donation events open to the public, Alford said they have received donations from as far south as Bloomington and as far north as Dwight. He believes drives like these are important because they give new life to coats and gloves which will help someone in need stay warm this season. Alford said he hopes the Armory can encourage the public to donate coats or blood to somebody in need.

“It’s very important for us as military personnel to support the community in any capacity possible,” said Alford. “As National Guard members, we have a duty to protect and serve and this is just another avenue to do that. I tell our soldiers that it is our duty to help others.”

For those wishing to make a coat donation, Alford said the Pontiac Armory is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and coats can be dropped off anytime before Jan. 20. There are donation boxes at each end of the armory and someone will be there to assist and thank people who drop off items.

“We will thank the donors personally and hopefully they will pass on the information to a family member so that we can get as many people as possible dropping off coats,” said Alford. “We just need coats and warm articles of clothing for people of all ages.”